The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-07-12
TCRYISM'S LAND BILL.
Mr.. Balfour Moves its Second Reading
in the Commons.


for Ireland, in moving the second reading
of the Irish land bill, said that the govern
ment did not offer the measure as proposing
any definite settlement Of the land question.
1t was merely an amendatory bill-one try
ing to remedy iniustices which experience
had shown arose under the acts of Parlia-
ment of 1870 and 1871. 1t brought lease
holders under the acts of 1881, thus complet-
ing the work of Mr.. Gladstone. The pro-
posed new clauses, which deal with
the purpose of land, are in accordance
with the clauses of the land act suggested by
John Bright in 1870. In regard to evictions
Mr.. Balfour explained that it was proposed
to substitute written notice for a writ of
execution of ejectment and allow a tenant
by means Of bankruptcy to act to obtain a
stay of eviction, while at the same time
spreading the liability of the tenant over an
indefinite period. Strong Objection he sup
posed, awaited the bankruptcy clauses, but
in no civilized country could debtor es-
cape his liability by any other process than
by the payment of his debts.
STOP TO HARSH EvIcTIoNs.
The bill would certainly stop harsh evic-
tions in the future By this pending meas
ure the government is aiming at something
like a final settlement. 1t would deal out
the widest application of the purchase
clauses of the bill and the clauses relating
to the revision of judicial rents. The Par
nellites might regard the bill with contempt
cries of 'Hearl" "HearP' from the Irish
members), regard it as the smallest install
ment of their demands; but if it did moth
ing more, it would enable Parliament to
tide over several urgent economic difficult
ties. A still greater measure would be pro
duced. [Cheersl
Mr.. Bannerman Q4iberaD moved that the
bill be rejected, as it did not include any
means for revision of judicial rents. He
cOntended that the bill did nothing to meet
the urgent evils of Ireland 1t would not
prevent landlords from oppressing-ev
running tenants What the tenants most
craved was such powers for judicial revision
of their rents as would enable them to pay
fair rent, based upon the extreme fall in
agricultural values. This would stay evic-
tions, prevent bankruptcies, and be a good
beginning for final measure for the settle
ment OF the agrarian question.
WEAK AND APoLoGETIC.
The speech of Mr.. Balfour was through
out both weak and apologetic. 1t left the
impression that he was ready to accept any
amendment, provided it came in the form
of a new bill, and its acceptance was not
calculated to give a shock to the country
nor to cause any further defeat or demorai-
zation of the Conservatives. The more the
result of the Spalding election becomes
known the more apparent becomes the gen
ulneneSS of the reaction III favor of Mr..
Gladstone The Conservative election
agents attribute the recent reverses chiefly
to the impression that the Irish members of
Parliament are making by participating
in the contests, and dilating upon the
horrors of evictions and the threatened in
crease of the sufferings of the people under
the coercion act. Then there are reports
also that the government is being influenced
direction a
land bill The Parnellite members are try
ing to induce Mr.. Gladstone to visit Ireland
during the early operation of the coercion
act, and to assist in resistance to any tyran-
nical use of the act. The outspolen speech
of Mr.. Gladstone on Saturday encoprages
the Parnellites to hope that he will go to
Ireland if he is able to face the fatigues of
the Irish campaign. John Morley heads the
band of English home rulers and will Co
operate with the Parneites.
LORD HAMILTON SEVERE.
Lord George Hamilton said that Mr.. Ban
herman had put forward no alternative pro-
posal on behalf of the tenants. The so-called
friends Of the tenants seemed to desire to de-
prive them Of the benefits of the present act
and leave them in their present position of
bankruptcy which was no more of disgrace
to Irishmen than to Englishmen, who,
through the fall in prices, were unable to
fulfill their contracts The fact was that
Irishmen lacked the moral force to look TO
their own exertions instead of relying upon
the government to extricate them.
Mr.. Chamberlain prefaced his remarks by
saying he intended to support second read
ing of the bill. He would give the bill fair
and candid consideration as an honest en-
deavor of the government to redeem their
promise given at the beginning of the ses-
sion.
A TILT WITH HEALY.
After passage-at-arms with Mr. Healy,
which ELECTED rebuke from the speaker
Mr.. Chamberlain proceeded. What would
be the Use of revision Of rents TO tenants
who had not paid anything for five years.
He would support second reading of the bill,
thereby affirming the necessity of prevent
ing as far as possible harsh and un-
just evictions. No permanent settle
ment of the land question was possible
for two or three years to come. He strongly
urged the House not to reject this temporary
effort at settlement, and at the same time
asked the government whether the time had
not come to consider the position of the land
lords, who were hard pressed by the burden
of family and other charges created when the
land was more profitable. He suggested
that the benefits conferred upon lease holders
should be extended in perpetuity when leases
were thought TO be equitable.
The jurisdiction clauses gave ample relief
UO LeildIlJS uUdDle W pay anu threatened
with eviction, and, in The face of the great
opposition, he would advise the government
to drop the bankruptcy clauses. He trusted
the government would listen TO suggestions
for the improvement of bills from whatever
quarter they came The debate was adj
journed. Mr.. Parnell and his followers will
meet tomorrow and decide upon the course
TO be pursued
The division will be taken on Mr. Banner
mans amendment on Thursday next
William O'Brien, at Kingston to-day.
made u speech which was filled with do
hance He said that the government would
be required to enforce the coercion act in
the most barbarous manner before it could
suppress the liberties of the Irish people.
MORE MONEY FOR PARNELL.
NEW YORK, July 1.-The Parliamentary
Fund Association met to-day and resolved
TO extend Lord Aberdeen reception on his
arrival from the West. A dispatch was ca
bled to Mr.. Parnell which contained the
following: 1--WE forward you to-day g2 200
pending further response To your great
work, which we feel viii ultimately result
in home rule and consequent prosperity TO
Ireland, unity, peace and greater strength
10 the British empire and repose 30 our
scattered race, which viii never rest while
the motherland writhes In cruel chains
God bless your efforts. The best blood of
America, and Christian civilization every
where are with you.'
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